Hebraic Musing -- Should Christians celebrate
God’s feasts?
Or we
might ask ourselves: How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the so-called ‘Jewish feasts’?
I find the
Old Testament to be a combination of advice, instruction and/or commands to us,
His children, from our loving Father God. I deem it important to follow Abba’s
advice, however, I too find myself caught in a world, a culture and a calendar
that does not always line up with Father God’s Word. The Jews have incorporated
instructions from the OT into their culture; as for me, that has revealed some
fascinating perspectives in the way they celebrate God’s feasts –in the
calendar timing, rituals and symbolism.
Jesus,
Yeshua, reveals himself in each of the Levitical feasts. Condensed and basic
examples:
1)
Passover (Lev. 23:5) –Yeshua is our Passover lamb. He was crucified on the day
of preparation for the Passover at the same hour that lambs were being
slaughtered for the evening Passover meal.
2)
Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6) – Points to Yeshua’s sinless life (leaven
represents sin).
3)
First Fruits (Lev. 23:10) – Symbolic of
Yeshua’s resurrection as the first fruit. Since Jesus was resurrected on that
day Paul refers to Him in I Corinthians 15:20 as "first fruits from the
dead."
4)
Shavuot or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Represents the harvest, also the great
harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile,
which started the ‘church age’.
5)
Rosh Hashanah or Trumpets (Lev. 23:24) Sept.16 to 18 – The first of the
Fall feasts is celebrated with trumpet calls alerting Saints to the end of
times. ‘Pre-Trib’ folks consider this the rapture of the Church.
6)
Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27) Sept. 26 – While there are a
number of ways to view this most Holy Day, I find myself honoring it as a day
of deep self-reflection supported by total fast.
7)
Tabernacles or Booths (Lev. 23:34) Oct. 1-8 – Is celebrated by eight
days living outdoors in flimsy shelters remembering God’s miraculous salvation
of His people. The final day is Called Simchat Torah, a full day devoted to
“The Joy of the Torah”. Sounds a lot like heaven to me! Is this what Micah and Isaiah taught us when
we say the Lord will once again “tabernacle” with His people?
Here is the
way the question of honoring Levitical Feasts was answered in a recent e-mail I
read:
Whether or not a Christian celebrates the Jewish feast days
would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Colossians
2:16-17 tells us “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or
drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a
Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the
reality, however, is found in Christ.” Christians are not bound to
observe the Jewish feasts the way an Old Testament Jew was, but we should not
criticize another believer who does or does not observe these special days and
feasts (Romans 14:5). While it is
not required for Christians to celebrate the Jewish feast days, it is
beneficial to study them. Certainly it could be beneficial to celebrate these
days if it leads one to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s
death and resurrection and the future promise of His coming. As Christians, if
we choose to celebrate these special days, we should put Christ in the center
of the celebration, as the One who came to fulfill the prophetic significance
of each of them.
Points to ponder
Are
these Jewish Feast days? Or God’s Feast Days for all His children?
Why not study and then
celebrate God’s ordained feast days, in addition
to our customary celebrations until we fully understand God’s message in His Word?
to our customary celebrations until we fully understand God’s message in His Word?
Shalom August 28, 2012
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
